Abstract: The present invention relates to means and method for isolating naturally-occurring microorganisms (non-pathogenic bacteria, yeasts or fungi) capable of binding toxins from microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, or protozoans and/or receptors for these toxins on the surface of mammalian cells, thereby making these receptors inaccessible for said toxins. The naturally-occurring microorganisms that are obtainable by the means and methods of the present invention can be used for adsorbing toxins from pathogenic microorganisms and/or blocking receptors for such toxins on the surface of mammalian cells. These toxin-receptor interactions are known to be critical for disease pathogenesis, making both the toxins and receptors a target for the naturally-occurring microorganisms of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the acceptance criteria.

Abstract: A line marking assembly for applying a marking a straight line with a marking powder onto a surface is disclosed. The line marking assembly comprises two chambers configured to mount one on each side of a level. Each chamber contains a cord wound on a spool, marking powder and a tensioning assembly that exerts a constant and continuous pull on the cord. The cords from each of the chambers may be combined with a coupler. Moving the coupler back and forth between the chambers coats the cords with marking powder. Placing the assembly onto a surface and snapping the cord marks a straight line on the surface.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A line marking assembly for applying a marking a straight line with a marking powder onto a surface is disclosed. The line marking assembly comprises two chambers configured to mount one on each side of a level. Each chamber contains a cord wound on a spool, marking powder and a tensioning assembly that exerts a constant and continuous pull on the cord. The cords from each of the chambers may be combined with a coupler. Moving the coupler back and forth between the chambers coats the cords with marking powder. Placing the assembly onto a surface and snapping the cord marks a straight line on the surface.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A device and method for securely removing a sewer cap from a sewer line that may be under pressure is disclosed. The device comprises a tube adapted to tightly fit onto the end tee of the sewer line that contains the cap and a piston containing a handle configured to fit and for movement inside the tube. A discharge port on the tube is adapted to discharge fluids into a container. The piston has a recess adapted to tightly fit over the square protrusion typically present on sewer line caps. To remove the sewer cap, the recess in the piston is threaded onto the protrusion on sewer line cap. The tube is then threaded over the piston and tightened over the end tee of the sewer line. Turning the handle to loosen the handle allows any discharge to safely drain through the discharge port.

Abstract: To meter catalysts into a reactor, the catalyst is firstly suspended in a hydrocarbon in a reservoir and the suspension obtained is kept in motion by stirring and then fed via a three-way metering valve and an ejector into the actual reactor, wherein the suspension containing the catalyst is firstly discharged from the reservoir by means of a pump and continuously circulated by returning the suspension via the three-way metering valve within a closed piping system to the reservoir, subsequently setting a pressure in the reservoir which is from 0.1 to 30 bar higher than the pressure in the reactor and then continuously introducing the suspension into the reactor via a flow meter which controls the three-way metering valve and via a downstream ejector by pulse operation of the now open three-way metering valve.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding an analog input signal for optical transmission, including driving a voltage controlled oscillator with an analog input signal to produce a frequency modulated electrical signal having a frequency proportional to the amplitude of the input signal, and applying the frequency modulated electrical signal to a multiple quantum well modulating retroreflector. The retroreflector receives optical energy from a laser source and modulates the optical energy with the frequency modulated signal to produce an output optical signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasound transducer is provided. The ultrasound transducer is activated and the activity across the transducer is measured to determine whether the activity at any area does not meet an acceptance criteria. The transducer is then modified so that the area meets the acceptance criteria. The transducer may be modified with a laser which removes material from the area which does not meet the accceptance criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus for making contact with a foil conductor, in particular of a solar module, the apparatus having a housing, a first connecting region for connecting to the foil conductor, and a second connecting region with at least one contact for connecting at least one plug connector. At least one conductor rail connects the contact to the foil conductor. The conductor rail has a contact region for detachable connection to the foil conductor. The conductor rail has a terminal area for receiving electronic modules, for example a diode or lead portions. Each conductor rail is connected to the contact of the second connecting region.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric organosiloxane ammonium salts having a silica-like skeleton and including units of Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and signify a group of Formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5 is an alkylene group and the oxygen atoms are saturated by silicon atoms of additional groups corresponding to Formula (II), optionally with the insertion of cross-linking agents; R.sup.3 represents groups corresponding to R.sup.1 or R.sup.2, or hydrogen or an alkyl group; R.sup.4 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group; x is the charge number of an oxo anion of a monooxo-, isopolyoxo- or heteropolyoxo acid of the elements vanadium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum or tungsten; and oxo groups of the X anion also may be replaced by peroxo groups. The invention also includes methods of preparing the salts of Formula (I) from salts of the type (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N.sup.+).sub.y Y wherein Y is different from X.